Comedian and writer Barry Cryer has died at the age of 86, his son Bob Cryer has announced.
Over the course of a long career in the entertainment industry, Cryer wrote for acts such as Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies and Tommy Cooper, while he was also a regular on Just A Minute and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
In a statement on social media, Bob said that his father died on Tuesday afternoon at Northwick Park hospital in Harrow, "peacefully, in good spirits and with his family around him".
"Dad was a talented comedy writer and comedian in a particularly golden vintage," he said.
"It'll be of no surprise to those that knew and worked with him that he was telling an Archbishop of Canterbury joke to a nurse not long before he died. That was one of his gifts, making strangers feel welcome, making them laugh."
Stephen Fry wrote on social media: "Such sad news, one of the absolute greats of British comedy, Barry Cryer, is no more. A glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer and performer who straddled all the comic traditions. Universally beloved ... farewell, Baz."
BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a statement: "Barry Cryer was a uniquely funny, talented and generous person. He was an incredible comedian and writer.
"If you heard or saw a great sketch there was always a good chance Barry was behind it. He worked with every major showbiz legend because everyone wanted to work with him. Barry will be hugely missed by his many friends at the BBC and the wider public."
Cryer is survived by his wife Theresa and their four children.
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